Lift Legalities??

[Bikie]

Hi guy's does anyone know the legalities in Queensland for increasing susp. lift?? I have a GQ LWB that has 3-inch lift but also came with a 7-inch lift kit, and 35inch BFG's.
I would like to know if it is possible to get an engineering cert, or MOD plate. Also have I got bucklys on insuring it under fully comp, as this is my daily driver. If insuring is no drama who you sudgest??

[mudnut1]

Bikie, according to DOT Queensland it's only a body lift that needs a cert and cannot exceed 50mm.

Suspension lifts are not covered by certs and technically don't need one, BUT, they follow a guideline that states your lift must not make the bump-stop clearance greater than one third of original spec.

I'm not sure if this means that you could extend the bump stop mounts to be within that clearance but that wouldn't help with axle movement.

the person I spoke to basically was saying that you can lift the vehicle seven inches and risk the bump stop clearance issue if you get pulled over and inspected.

You could get your lift engineered anyway but it's not clear whether that would stand up in court.

If you need any more info they're faxing me the regulations.
I can always send you a copy, to be perfectly safe if yer that bothered.

That's how I understood it anyway, sounds cheaper than the NSW route.
Insurance is just the ringaround, I know TCIS have had probs with CGU but they're always worth a call if you don't know that they def. won't cover you.
best of luck.

[Bikie]

Thanks for the info Mudnut,
could you please fax or email the regulations to me
my work fax no is (07)32695252 (ATTN Andrew) or email
andrewbycroft@hotmail.com
The reason I am so paranoid with the lift is because the current owner was pulled over by DOT for the 7-inch lift initially then they got him for a few other stupid things like spotiies on top of the bullbar etc. The Patrol then had to be towed because of the so called "defects" I want to do it the right way so i'm not in the same boat. The other biggie is insurance. I tried TCIS but they won't look at me because i'm only 21. RACQ will only insure to a four inch lift. Shannons will insure me but it will cost about $3000 a year! Worst case senario i'll just have to wait until i'm 25 in four years. Or I could just insure with RACQ and state it has four inches of lift and if they measure just act dumb?
Any other sudgestions would be appreciated.

[big red]

you cant change the bumpstops to get around the 1/3 rule, its been tried.
mine is 7" lift but i just keep all the standard gear so i can put it back to legal if need be.
35's are illegal in QLD as well.
you either make it a legal 3" and 33's or chance it like so many others.
Bikie, who did you buy it from? luke?
is it dark grey?

[mudnut1]

Bikie, will fax the docs. You could try Just Car Insurance, underwritten by AAMI, they look after young drivers and modified vehicles and imports. they're pricey, but I'm afraid at 21 it's a story your gonna hear a lot of. That's one of the few good things about getting over 30 - cheaper insurance!
Best of luck.

[Bikie]

Hey Big Red, thanks for the reply, actually the Patrol isn't 100% mine yet I should be picking it up next week sometime, Luke hurt his back at work and hasn't been off the bed since Tuesday, he still has to get the RWC done and take out his UHF, and steering wheel, but I can't complain because I've stuffed him around abit getting the money for his bus, hopefully i've hooked him up with a hilux he may want. Makes me feel a bit better bout stuffing him around :) How do you know luke? I know he knows Brent from Wizard. What do you think of his Pat? The only thing i'm worried about putting the 7-inch lift in is if it will make it abit topheavy, mind you i've had to put up with driving a 45s cruiser troopcarrier with 3-inch lift, 2-inch bodylift and 33 BFG muds on it, (still haven't rolled it yet) with the roofrack on it goes 2.56m clearence hieght... It stemmed from the 33s rubbing on my guards so I did the lifts and went backwards in offroad capabiltiy. i'm going to Landcruiser Mountain Park this weekend so if your going and see a big yellow troopy with "Tonka Tuff" stickers on the rear barn doors stop me and say g'day ;D

[big red]

was just a guess about luke, his was the only 7" lifted wagon i've seen with lights on top of the bullbar.
went for a drive around LCMPark with him,brent and a few others a while back, his truck went well and went everywhere we went with no problems.
tell him shane in the red GU ute said g'day !

[Mudratz]

G'day Fellas.

Mate I have the same problem as you with insurance on my shorty 40. Buggers wouldnt cover me, 19 years old and the amount of work i did to it.. so i tried Just Cars which was mentioned a few posts up and they seemed all right. They let me do a fair few other mods as well without changing price too much, anyways they ended up with the business.

ben.

[Bikie]

Hey ben,
What year is your forty... and how much do you pay in premiums per year, I rang Just cars yesterday. To insure the Patrol and all the accessories they wanted about $2200- $2500 per year which is to much for me. Luke the guy i'm buying it off was with Australian 4wd insurance and was only paying around $700 per year because he's over 25.
I'm starting to think the way bigred said is probably easiest and safest way to go. Even if it does hinder offroad ability.

[flappan]

Most Insurance Co's aren't interested over a 50mm (2 inch ) lift. Whilst the actual regs are 1/3 wheel travel which on some vehicles equates to a bit more then that, it doesn't make much sense if then you cant insure it.

Problem is, once you start doing mods its a bit of a gamble. Do you do it correctly and get it all certified (as you should) or do you take your chances.

Fitting a slight lift and bigger tyres is probably the easiest, but it may still have it's drawbacks. Ins may or may not still cover it. They may not be a big issue either, until you have the misfortune of running up the back of a Merc.

Mods + Insurance = $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[Bikie]

Hi flappan, What you say is true, but there are a few ins co. out there that will insure extensive mods, but their services are limited to people over 25years old. I'm am only 21, I can maybe get around the 25 year limit in 12 months time when my fiance turns 25, but then alot of ins co. go off who is the youngest driver. There are companys that will insure me with a 7-inch lift but they want between 2-3 grand a year in premiums. AGE EXCESS SUX!!

[adamleschke]

Yeah I'm lookin at a 4" lift in Qld and wanted to know if

anyone knows any insurance co. that will insure it because

mine only insures up to 2". I'm over 25 so age doesn't

bother me, mates reckon they just rang up there insurance

mobs when they bought the car and said it already had a

4" lift and 2" blocks. Dunno how they will go if they have

an accident and it's there fault though. Has anyone had

any dramas with claiming in an accident.

???

Get it engineered, tell the insurance company what has been done, and pay the premium to drive such a car.....

There is no other way than properly.

[baby_troupe]

Like Darren Said, get engineer cert.
If you are in an affilliated 4wd club look @ TCIS insurance, if not Australian 4WD insurance.
Both of these guys cover mods if the vehicle is "Roadworthy" ;D

[big red]

biggest problem is that in QLD you cant get it engineered with 35's or a lift that increases your bump stop clearance by more than a third.
Some guys get them engineered and rego'd in NSW to get around that.
its the dark ages up here ::)

[Tlux]

It's not too bright in NSW either, they banned duck hunting >:(

[cuttin loose]

NSW is the same... i've got a SWB patrol and have been looking at putting a 2 inch body lift and the possibility of a 4 inch spring lift plus i'm only 21...
problem is... unless you pay over 3,000 bucks you're not gonna get your 4b insured.. i know NRMA will only let you go up to 2inches.. but they still charge me 1,300 bucks for a 4b with standard suspension. the only mods i have is wider rims & tyres...plus your excess is through the roof... ( something like $1,000 after all their clauses)

[chooka]

There was a letter to the editor in 4wd monthly a couple of months ago - not sure exactly which one, but it had the details of DGA insurance brokers who are more than happy to insure you for a reasonable price & only $250 excess too. I just changed mine over to them (4.8 patrol) & from memory it was only about $40 a month & as long as you tell them what you have done to your truck they don't seem to care. Got to be legal in your state, but other than that you are insured ANYWHERE & with anyone driving. I think normal age excesses apply but that didn't concern me so I am not sure. If you don't have the issue with the info in it I can send you the phone number tomorrow.

[cuttin loose]

Yeah i saw that letter and tried them.. they won't touch under 25's..damnit!!...

but i tried TCIS and as long as you're 21 they're ok with it.. they gave me a quote for $1,155.00 and a $450.00 excess..
so i can't complain with that...!!.. ;D ;D ;D

plus a little tip.. put a parent on the insurance.. say they drive it 50%.. it'll help you big time!!!.. ;D ;D ;D

Yeah i saw that letter and tried them.. they won't touch under 25's..damnit!!...

but i tried TCIS and as long as you're 21 they're ok with it.. they gave me a quote for $1,155.00 and a $450.00 excess..
so i can't complain with that...!!.. ;D ;D ;D

plus a little tip.. put a parent on the insurance.. say they drive it 50%.. it'll help you big time!!!.. ;D ;D ;D

i'll remember that lach, nrma have got me at 1400 bucks an 800 premium juss for turbo, two inch springs, body lift an bar work. i'll haveta get a quote.

[cuttin loose]

yeah i'm with NRMA too, but since i got the 4.5in lift they won't touch me... i'm already paying something like 1800 bucks with them anyways... TCIS here i come!!! ;D ;D ;D

actually out of the major insurers, nrma was the only ppl that would touch me with a turbo. im 21 also. just cars and shannons an young n cool would insure me but for twice the bucks.

[cuttin loose]

yeah i think i meantioned it before, but JCI wanted 3660 outa me... bit of a joke really.. ::) ::) ::)

gunna have to change insurer this year anyway i think. too many mods now. ;D

[simsy]

;)look at www.dgainsurance.com.au i'm with them good premiums and allow mods

[turbo42]

Hi Guys,

In relation to lifts in QLD just so there is no confussion the info you are after is contavined in Bulletin 35 to Approved pers dated May 2000.

There is a copy of the exact text at INFORMATION FOR APPROVED PERSONS SUPPLIED BY QLD TRANSPORT (http://offroadvw.net/buggyboyz/BulletinNumber35LiftKits.htm)


Once you have read it you can make your own call but at least you will know exactly what the rules say and not what someone is guessing at them saying.

Cheers,

[REDROCKET]

Sheesh, talk about draggin up a oldie ;)

Good work on posting it in an existing thread too:thumb:

It's something thats been concerning me to as i'm moving to Qld with my 8" lifted 80series, so i'll have a bit of a read through that artical. Thanks 4 postin it:)

[turbo42]

If your 80 series already has the lift then make sure you get approval paperwork from your local authorities before you come up. PM me for more info.

[lexcruise]

i have a cruiser with 35s on it got around rego by making sure they are a light truck spec tyre.
most mickey thompson tyres have this spec

[turbo42]

i have a cruiser with 35s on it got around rego by making sure they are a light truck spec tyre.
most mickey thompson tyres have this spec


Um what does that have to do with rego ?

You can not legally run 35's on an 80 series, don't make no difference if the are light truck or note, it is a size issue not a load rating issue.

[dragon7]

I found this for Vic people, interesting read.

http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/CC48FC10-4D57-4F04-82E1-3BD72EF88340/0/VSI8.pdf

[bobcat23]

interesting reading bout vic roads regs ,, alll a load of bull shit i think.... but wat d oya do take the risk or play it safe...........